Squeeze bottle cap

ABSTRACT

A bottle cap including a cover having a front end defining a pair of substantially parallel flanges extending generally perpendicularly from the cover, a deformable panel extending between the flanges, and an opposed rear end defining a pair of body-engaging hinges extending from a portion thereof. The cap includes a body having a top portion defining an outwardly projecting spout at one end and an inwardly projecting cavity at another end that may pivotally receive the body-engaging hinges for rotating the cover about an x-axis relative the body when attached thereto. Pressure applied to the flanges causes the panel to resiliently deform and disengage from the body allowing the cover to transition from a closed position mating the front end of the cover with the top portion of the body for providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and an open position retaining the rear end of the cover against the body.

The present invention relates to field of bottle caps and morespecifically to portable water bottles having flip-top dispenser capsattached thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not Applicable)

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable water bottles are well known and typically used to hold waterand other hydrating drinks. Such bottles are frequently tucked intobackpacks, stored in handbags and other carrying totes that allow forrelatively quick and simple access to the contents. Carrying portablewater bottles are useful in staying hydrated when traveling outdoors,exercising at the gym, hiking, skiing, and countless other situationswhere it is necessary to continuously replenish one's bodily fluids.

When a consumer purchases a water bottle there are at least threefactors they consider important to their decision. First, the size andamount of liquid the bottle can hold. Each size bottle serves it's ownpurpose and consumers may wish to purchase a larger size bottle whenthey plan to consume a large volume of liquid over a period of time whenwater may not otherwise be available. This is frequently the case onlong hiking trips that may span an entire day or several days. On theother hand, a small size bottle may be useful when portability is anissue. Yet, whether the bottle is small or large, most of the waterbottles available today implement a screw-cap and consumers aregenerally familiar with these types of caps. Therefore, there exists aneed for a bottle cap that can fit upon either small or large bottles.

Second, the type of cap fitted upon the bottle is important to theconsumer because the design of the cap may allow for easier hydration,depending upon their application. A twist-off cap is sometimesdisadvantageous to those consumers who wish to have quick access to thebottle's contents without having to stop and unscrew the cap. Othertypes of caps such as the conventional pull-spout found on popular waterbottles are quick and simple to use, but may be inadvertently opened torelease the bottle's contents when traveling. To prevent such anoccurrence, pull-spouts are sometimes fitted with a protective cap thatrequires the consumers to completely disengage the protective cap, pullthe spout, drink from the bottle, close the spout, and finally re-engagethe protective cap upon the spout. This type of design is cumbersomebecause the two-piece design allows for the possibility that theconsumer will lose the protective cap, requires too many actions, and isgenerally difficult to drink from with one hand. This is especially aproblem when hiking because a brief stop on the trail would requireothers ahead of the hiker to stop and wait for the consumer to finishdrinking from their water bottle. Therefore, there exists a need for abottle cap that minimizes the chance of accidental leakage when storedin a bag, allows access to the fluid contents without the need to holdand retain separate pieces, and operate simply with one hand.

Third, consumers are also concerned about the bottle design and how thedesign will aid their purpose. Standard cylindrical bottles are the mostcommon bottles because they are easy to manufacture. However, suchcylindrical bottles can become slick if water is spilled upon thesurface. Therefore, there exists a need for a bottle having a gripportion that would allow the consumer to retain the bottle in their handwith relative ease, even when the bottle is wet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a novel bottle cap that allows the consumer to attachit to a bottle and store liquid therein. The bottle cap is configured toprevent inadvertent disengagement of the cover from the body of thebottle cap. Advantageously, the bottle cap may only be opened by eitherexerting force upon a thumb tab located at a front end of the cover, orby squeezing together a pair of substantially parallel flanges to deforma panel and disengage a tab on the cover from the mateable engagementwith the body of the cap. The cover is preferably a flip-top design thatis hingedly connected to the body of the cap and allows the consumer toflip open the cap with one hand, either via a finger tip with the thumbtab or with the parallel flanges. Advantageously, pressure exerted inother directions, including pressure exerted against the panel or theouter surface of the cover will not disengage the cover from the body.Such features reduce occurrences of inadvertent disengagement of thecover from the body.

A further advantage of the present invention is the spill-proof featureof the bottle cap. The bottle cap is preferably fitted with arubber-like plug that is retained within the cover and mateably engagesa spout from the body of the cap. A liquid-tight seal may be formedbetween the spout and the plug such that when the cover is in a firstclosed position, no liquid may seep out therefrom. The shape andconfiguration of the spout also provides for a drip-proof pour such thatis advantageous when compared to standard round openings. A concave andsubstantially flanged profile to the spout allows for liquid to be drawnaway from the opening, allowing air to pass into the opening for quickerpouring. The curved flanged profile of the spout allows assists the flowof liquid such that any remaining liquid that may normally dribble froma standard round opening will flow back into the spout.

A further advantage of the present invention is the lockable cover. Thecover may rotate up to 180 degrees from the first closed position to thesecond open position and removably lock itself within a cavity of thebody. The locking protrusion engages a tab within the cavity so that thecover does not inadvertently fall and hit the consumer in the face whenthey try to take a drink. This may also be useful when pouring theliquid into a container so the that cover is out of the way and does notinadvertently close when tipped at an angle.

Another advantage of the present invention includes an alternateembodiment including a combination of a bottle and the cap. The novelcap as described herein may be attached to a bottle which preferablydefines a substantially concave grip portion in a center portion of thebottle body. The concave grip portion is preferably formed having aplurality of ribs extending concentrically around the bottle body. Theribs allow for enhanced grip and may additionally aid in retaining thebottle in backpacks and other bags with water bottle containers due tothe slim profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bottle with a bottle capthereon made according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the bottle with a bottlecap thereon made according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a bottle with a bottlecap thereon taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, the cover being in thefirst closed position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a bottle with a bottlecap thereon, the cover being in a second open position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a bottle cap made according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional exploded view of a bottle cap takenalong lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of a bottle capmade according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a bottle cap being squeezed inan exemplary manner according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a bottle cap beingsqueezed in an exemplary manner according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, andnot for purposes of limiting the same, in FIGS. 1-2, a preferredembodiment of the bottle cap 10 attached to the bottle 48 is shown.Preferably, the bottle cap 10 includes a cover 12 and a body 24 that arehingedly engaged to each other. The cover 12 preferably includes a frontend 14 that defines at least one release member extending from a portionof the cover 12. The at least one release member may be fabricated as athumb tab which allows the cover 12 to be released from the body 24. Thecover 12 also includes an opposed rear end 16 which defines a pair ofbody-engaging hinges 20 extending from a portion of the rear end 16. Thebody-engaging hinges 20 are more clearly shown in the exploded diagramof FIG. 7. The body-engaging hinges 20 define a locking protrusion 22extending between the pair of body-engaging hinges 20, which is bestillustrated in FIGS. 3-4.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, preferably, the bottle cap 10 also includesa body 24 which includes a top portion 26 defining an outwardlyprojecting spout 28 at one end thereof. The top portion 26 also includesan inwardly projecting cavity 30 at another end thereof. The cavity 30is sized and configured to pivotally receive the body-engaging hinges 20for rotating the cover 12 about an x-axis relative the body 24 whenattached thereto. The cavity 30 is sized and configured to slidablyengage the locking protrusion 22. The body 24 also includes a bottomportion 32 at an opposite end thereof. The spout 60 and the bottomportion 32 cooperate to define an orifice 34 for receiving fluidtherethrough. The cover 12 is positionable between a first closedposition, illustrated in FIG. 3, mating the front end 14 of the cover 12with the top portion 26 of the body for providing a fluid-tight sealtherebetween, and a second closed position, illustrated in FIG. 4,retaining the rear end 16 of the cover 12 against the body 24 via thelocking protrusion 22.

The cover 12 and the body 24 are preferably fabricated from aplastic-like material, but it is anticipated that other materials may beused which are compatible with fluids and will not contaminate the same.The at least one release member may be configured as a thumb-tab 18 suchthat a consumer can simply apply pressure to the thumb tab 18 anddisengage the cover 12 from the body 24. In the first closed positionshown in FIG. 3, one end of the thumb tab 18 engages a complimentary tab64 extending from the body 24. In this respect, the cover 12 and thebody 24 may be kept together via the tab 18 and the tab 64. In analternate embodiment of the present invention, the cover 12 may beformed without the thumb tab 18 to provide further protection againstaccidental disengagement of the cover 12 from the body 24. In such anembodiment, the cover 12 is still engaged to the body 24 via the tab 64,but disengagement of the cover 12 from the body 24 is accomplishedsolely through squeezing a portion of the front end 14, as will bediscussed in further detail herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, exemplary operation of the bottle cap 10 isillustrated. Specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates the squeezing pressure onemay exert upon the front end 14 of the cover 12 such that the tab 18 isengaged from the tab 64. Preferably, the at least one release memberincludes a pair of substantially parallel flanges 44 that extendgenerally perpendicularly from the outer surface 36. The at least onerelease member also includes a deformable panel 46 extending between theflanges 44. External pressure applied to the flanges 44 cause the panelto resiliently deform and disengage from the body 24 allowing the cover12 to transition from the first closed position to the second openposition. In this respect, the cover 12 may be formed having the flanges44 and the thumb tab 18 in one embodiment, and may be formed having onlythe flanges 44 in another alternate embodiment. The flanges 44, whensqueezed together, cause the panel 46 to deform and disengage from thetab 64 as shown in FIG. 9. Advantageously, the combination of the tab18, panel 46 and flanges 44 provides a cover 12 which may be disengagedfrom the body 24 via either the tab 18 or via the flanges 44 in oneembodiment, or via only the flanges 44 in another embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, 6, 7, and 9, the cavity 30 formed at an endof the top portion 26 is preferably formed to pivotally receive thebody-engaging hinges 20. Preferably, the cavity 30 should have asufficient depth to allow the cover 12 to rotate approximately 180degrees from the first closed position to the second open position, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively. Advantageously, allowing the cover12 to rotate fully, the consumer will not have any obstruction upontheir nose while drinking. In combination with the locking protrusion22, when the cover 12 is retained in the second open position, the cover12 will not inadvertently fall down and hit the consumer in the facewhen the bottle is tipped to allow the liquid contents to pour out. Thecover 12 is preferably rotated about the x-axis as shown in FIG. 5. Whenthe cover 12 is positioned into the second open position as shown inFIG. 4, the outer surface 36 rests upon a portion of the body 24 suchthat the edge of the cover 12 adjacent the plug 38 and recess 40contacts the body 24. In this respect, the strongest part of the cover12 is placed into contact with the body to prevent unwanted stress uponthe cover 12 and to further provide a fulcrum point closer to the x-axissuch that the cover 12 is less susceptible to accidental breakage whenexcessive force is placed upon the cover 12, or when the cover 12 isinadvertently rotated beyond 180 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the cover 12 is preferably attached to thebody 24 via the body-engaging hinges 20. The body-engaging hinges 20 arepreferably configured so as to extend outward from the outer surface 36.Even more preferably, the hinges 20 are configured to extend generallyperpendicularly with respect to the outer surface 36. As moreparticularly shown in FIG. 7, the hinges 20 are preferably configured tohave substantially round protrusions extending therefrom. Even morepreferably, these protrusions are configured to extend generallyperpendicularly with respect to the hinges 20. The hinges 20 areconfigured to mateably engage a portion of the cavity 30 and slidablyengage the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, the top portion 26 preferably includes thespout 60. Even more preferably, the cover 12 includes a plug 38extending from the outer surface 36. The plug 38 may be sized andconfigured to extend generally perpendicularly from the outer surface36. The plug 38 may be fabricated from a rubber-like material, but othermaterials that provide for liquid-tight seals with plastic may be used.The cover 12 may be formed to define a recess 40 therethrough such thatthe recess 40 is substantially round in shape. The plug 38 may beinserted into the recess 40 and frictionally retained therein. In thisrespect, where the recess 40 is round, a portion of the plug 38 may beround as well. When the plug 38 is inserted into the recess 40, the plug38 is preferably formed such that the plug 38 is permanently retainedwithin the recess 40 and creates a liquid-tight fit between the plug 38and the cover 12. Even more preferably, the plug 38 may be coated withan adhesive to enhance retention of the plug 38 within the recess 40.The spout 60 is preferably formed having a substantially concave profilefor preventing drips therefrom. In this respect, the substantially wideprofile of the spout 60 and concave profile prevents liquid frominadvertently dripping from the spout 60 when fluid is poured therefrom.When the spout 60 is formed having such a concave profile, the plug 38may be formed having a substantially convex profile. In this respect,the spout 60 and plug 38 are designed to mateably engage each other.Therefore, it is anticipated that other shapes and designs of the plug38 and spout 60 may be utilized so long as a liquid-tight fit isaccomplished therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 1-9, the body 24 of the cap 10 is preferablyformed having a plurality of indentations around a circumferencethereof. The indentations being operative to provide enhanced grip whenrotating the cap 10 for threadable engagement and disengagement of thesame with the bottle 48.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the plug may also include advertising indicia42 visible on a surface of thereof when the plug is frictionallyretained within the recess 40 and the cover 12 is in the first closedposition. The advertising indicia 42 may be embossed or imprinted upon asurface of the plug 38. Advantageously, the plug 38 is oversized toaccommodate relatively large symbols, logos and text. The plug 38 mayalso be fitted with a secondary layer upon the plug 38 for full-colorprinting and other types of printing.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, an alternate embodiment illustrating acombination fluid-container 100 is shown. As will be appreciated thoseskilled in the art, the features of the cap 10 are equally applicable tothe cap 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 showing the combination.Advantageously, the combination of the bottle 48 and cap 10 provide aspill-proof container with grippable portions thereon. The bottle 48 ispreferably formed having a bottle top 54 and a bottle bottom 52 at anopposite end thereof. The bottle top and bottom 54 and 52 cooperate todefine a bottle body 70 therebetween. The bottle top 54 has asubstantially circular neck portion 50 that defines a substantiallycircular orifice. Preferably, the bottle has a substantially cylindricalshape, but other shapes may be utilized so long as the neck portion 50defines a substantially circular orifice. The bottle body 70 may definea substantially concave grip portion 56 between the bottle top 54 andbottle bottom 52. The grip portion 56 is preferably disposed in a centerportion of the bottle body 70. The grip portion 56 preferably defines aplurality of ribs 58 extending concentrically around the bottle body 70.Advantageously, the grip portion 56 provides for enhanced grip andprevents slippage when wet.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, theparticular combination of parts described and illustrated herein isintended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention,and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative deviceswithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A bottle cap comprising: a cover having a front end defining at leastone release member extending from a portion thereof, and an opposed rearend defining a pair of body-engaging hinges extending from a portionthereof, the body-engaging hinges defining a locking protrusionextending therebetween; a body having a top portion defining anoutwardly projecting spout at one end thereof and an inwardly projectingcavity at another end thereof, the cavity being sized and configured topivotally receive the body-engaging hinges for rotating the cover aboutan x-axis relative the body when attached thereto, the cavity furtherbeing sized and configured to slidably engage the locking protrusion,and a bottom portion at an opposite end thereof, the spout and thebottom portion cooperating to define an orifice for receiving fluidtherethrough; and wherein the cover is positionable between a firstclosed position mating the front end of the cover with the top portionof the body for providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and a secondopen position retaining the rear end of the cover against the body viathe locking protrusion.
 2. The cap as in claim 1 wherein the coverfurther includes an a) outer surface extending between the front andrear ends, and b) a plug extending from the outer surface.
 3. The cap asin claim 2 wherein the plug is sized and configured to mateablyfrictionally engage the spout when the cover is in the first closedposition.
 4. The cap as in claim 3 wherein the spout is formed having asubstantially concave profile for preventing drips therefrom, and theplug is formed having a substantially convex profile.
 5. The cap as inclaim 2 wherein the cover further defines a recess therethrough and theplug is sized and configured to be frictionally retained within thecover via the recess.
 6. The cap as in claim 5 wherein the plug isfabricated from a rubber-like material.
 7. The cap as in claim 6 whereinthe plug further includes advertising indicia visible on a surfacethereof when the plug is frictionally retained within the recess and thecover is in the first closed position.
 8. The cap as in claim 2 whereinthe plug further includes advertising indicia visible when the plug isfrictionally retained within the recess and the cover is in the firstclosed position.
 9. The cap as in claim 1 wherein the at least onerelease member includes: a pair of substantially parallel flangesextending generally perpendicularly from the outer surface of the cover;a deformable panel extending between the flanges; and wherein externalpressure applied to the flanges causes the panel to resiliently deformand disengage from the body allowing the cover to transition from thefirst closed position to the second open position.
 10. The cap as inclaim 9 further including a thumb tab extending generallyperpendicularly from the panel.
 11. The cap as in claim 1 wherein thecover is rotatable about the x-axis relative the body to provide up to180 degrees of rotation between the first open position and the secondclosed position.
 12. A fluid-container comprising: a substantiallycylindrical bottle; a bottle cap including: a cover having a front enddefining at least one release member extending from a portion thereof,and an opposed rear end defining a pair of body-engaging hingesextending from a portion thereof, the body-engaging hinges defining alocking protrusion extending therebetween; a body having a top portiondefining an outwardly projecting spout at one end thereof and aninwardly projecting cavity at another end thereof, the cavity beingsized and configured to pivotally receive the body-engaging hinges forrotating the cover about an x-axis relative the body when attachedthereto, the cavity further being sized and configured to slidablyengage the locking protrusion, and a bottom portion at an opposite endthereof, the spout and the bottom portion cooperating to define anorifice for receiving fluid therethrough; and wherein the cover ispositionable between a first closed position mating the front end of thecover with the top portion of the body for providing a fluid-tight sealtherebetween, and a second open position retaining the rear end of thecover against the body via the locking protrusion, the bottle cap beingsized and configured to be removably engaged to the bottle.
 13. Thefluid-container as in claim 12 wherein the bottle further includes abottle top and a bottle bottom at an opposite end thereof cooperating todefine a bottle body therebetween, the bottle top having a substantiallycircular neck portion, the neck portion defining a substantiallycircular orifice.
 14. The fluid-container as in claim 13 wherein bottlebody defines a substantially concave grip portion between the bottle topand the bottle bottom.
 15. The fluid-container as in claim 14 whereinthe grip portion defines a plurality of ribs extending concentricallyaround the bottle body.
 16. The fluid-container as in claim 12 whereinthe cover further includes an a) outside surface extending between thefront and rear ends, and b) a plug extending from the outer surface. 17.The fluid-container as in claim 16 wherein the plug is sized andconfigured to mateably frictionally engage the spout when the cover isin the first closed position.
 18. The fluid-container as in claim 17wherein the spout is formed having a substantially concave profile forpreventing drips therefrom, and the plug is formed having asubstantially convex profile.
 19. The fluid-container as in claim 16wherein the cover further defines a recess therethrough and the plug issized and configured to be frictionally retained within the cover viathe recess.
 20. The fluid-container as in claim 19 wherein the plug isfabricated from a rubber-like material.
 21. The fluid-container as inclaim 20 wherein the plug further includes advertising indicia visibleon a surface thereof when the plug is frictionally retained within therecess and the cover is in the first closed position.
 22. Thefluid-container as in claim 12 wherein the at least one release memberincludes: a pair of substantially parallel flanges extending generallyperpendicularly from the outer surface of the cover; a deformable panelextending between the flanges; and wherein external pressure applied tothe flanges causes the panel to resiliently deform and disengage fromthe body allowing the cover to transition from the first closed positionto the second open position.
 23. The fluid-container as in claim 22further including a thumb tab extending generally perpendicularly fromthe panel.
 24. The fluid-container as in claim 12 wherein the cover isrotatable about the x-axis relative the body to provide up to 180degrees of rotation between the first open position and the secondclosed position.
 25. A bottle cap comprising: a cover having a front enddefining at least one release member extending from a portion thereof,the at least one release member including a pair of substantiallyparallel flanges extending generally perpendicularly from therefrom, theat least one release member further including a deformable panelextending between the flanges, and an opposed rear end defining a pairof body-engaging hinges extending from a portion thereof; a body havinga top portion defining an outwardly projecting spout at one end thereofand an inwardly projecting cavity at another end thereof, the cavitybeing sized and configured to pivotally receive the body-engaging hingesfor rotating the cover about an x-axis relative the body when attachedthereto, and a bottom portion at an opposite end thereof, the spout andthe bottom portion cooperating to define an orifice for receiving fluidtherethrough; and wherein external pressure applied to the flangescauses the panel to resiliently deform and disengage from the bodyallowing the cover to transition from a first closed position mating thefront end of the cover with the top portion of the body for providing afluid-tight seal therebetween, and a second open position retaining therear end of the cover against the body.